Naruto is hooked on an MMORPG game. He has tons of friends there and spends almost all his free time playing. However, he's never met a single friend in person. He doesn't mind, but then one of them wants to meet him in person. What should he do? SasuNaru

Okay, recently I started playing an online MMORPG called Shaiya. It's really cool and fun and I'm totally hooked. And then the idea for this story sprouted! WOOT!

For those of you who are reading my other story, Rei-Senzai DO NOT WORRY! This is more of a side thing. Rei-Senzai takes priority, so I work on those chapters more than these ones. Don't worry!

Okay, a heads up for if you decide to read this story!: When they are in the game world, I'll write out the descriptions and actions as if they were doing them themselves. However, conversations will be different. Don't forget, they type their conversations, they can't hear each other.

Also, I will use their character names during the gaming times. If it gets unbelievable confusing, let me know. But you don't have to worry about that just yet!

Okay, so I gave myself an ego boost there, but my life sucks so I'll take what I can get.

But it's not a lie. I do have really bright yellow hair and sky blue eyes. I'm not sure where I get it from.

I'm an orphan, so I can't say whether I take after my father or mother.

"Uzumaki! Pay attention!"

I sighed loudly and faced my Maths teacher, Mizuki-sensei. The guy was always picking on me.

"Yes sir."

Placing an elbow on the desk casually, I stared straight ahead. Of course I wasn't really paying attention, but Mizuki-sensei was so boring. He made maths even worse than it really is.

Yeah, I'm not fond of maths. I hate it how there's always so many little numbers on one page. It's way too much for my brain to process in a single sitting.

I admit I'm not the smartest guy in the world.

Yet another thing that everyone seems to feel inclined to point out.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and glanced back to see Haruno Sakura. She had bright, bubblegum pink hair and jade green eyes which were a bit concerned at the moment as she leant forward in her seat to speak to me.

"Hey, don't listen to what those other girls were saying." She whispered.

Okay, so maybe not everyone was out to get me.

I still had Sakura at least.

I had met Sakura when I was seven. I'd run away from the orphanage-temporarily- when I stumbled across her at the playground. She had been hanging out with all of her friends, and upon seeing me, they had begun to tease me.

At that time, Sakura joined in and some of the things she said really stung. Especially since I was crushing on her big time.

However, three years later, I was walking back from school when I saw her by the park. She was getting teased about her wide forehead by the same people she used to call friends. By the time I was close enough, the punks were leaving. Sakura was crying on the sidewalk and didn't even look up when I sat down next to her.

And then, I said something that Sakura still claims that she 'doesn't know whether to hit me for insulting her or hugging me for complimenting her'.

Ah, sweet innocence. I swear, children have some of the best pick-up lines when used correctly.

Sakura had been so moved by my kindness, she had gotten to her knees and worshipped me, calling me her angel and pledging eternal love to me.

...

Well, that's what I imagined. In truth she stood up, crossed her arms and said "I don't need your pity!" before stomping off.

However, when I went to school the next day, she actually came up to me and said hello first. Then she sat next to me in class and even asked me if I wanted to eat lunch with her.

After that, and a few brief conversations, compliments, unintended insults and severe injuries dealt on her part, we became best friends.

"Naruto?" Sakura asked, poking my forehead. I must have gotten lost in old memories and zoned out. Scratching the back of my head sheepishly, I offered a smile.

"Sorry. Zoned out for a moment there. What were you saying?"

She smiled that 'you're-an-idiot-but-I-still-like-you' smile and repeated herself. "I asked what you were going to do after school."

Ah, yes. After school.

That was the time my life didn't suck so bad. It sucked to live on my own, because my apartment was small and rundown and stuff. But, it wasn't all bad because of my...hobby.

I was hooked on an online MMORPG game.

And when I said hooked, I meant obsessed. I would go home, change into my sleepwear, make some ramen and then get straight onto my laptop, and just play until the wee hours of the morning.

And you know what's even better?

I have tons of friends there. None of us know each other's real names, or where we live or anything. It was kind of an unspoken rule where we never disclosed personal details. Safety and all. You never know who's out there.

We do talk about our lives and friends, but never by name.

The best thing is, the friends there have never judged me like other people do.

They like me for who they can see me to be. Am I'm pretty damn honest with them, even online!

"I'm going to meet up with the group. Do you want to come along? You're character could use some levelling up!" I asked, winking at her. Sakura chuckled and nodded.

"Sure."

I had somehow convinced Sakura to play the game too. She wasn't the strongest, but she was pretty good at healing and using spells at the right time. I suggested she be a Mage, since they are better for support than offence.

Sometimes, me and Sakura just wander through the virtual world together and hunt down random monsters. I do all the up close and personal fighting while she gives support from afar and heals me if I need it.

We make a pretty good team.

"So, you're finally going to meet the rest of my friends, Sakura-chan?" I asked teasingly. I had tried several times to get her to join our group, but she was too shy. She said she didn't want to join until her character was stronger.

"Only if you help me level up three times first." She said. I nodded eagerly.

"Done and done, Sakura-chan!"

"UZUMAKI!"

Shit.

Mizuki-sensei stomped over and glared at me, thrusting a small slip into my face. I groaned and took it while he smirked and walked away.

Looking down at the formidable pink piece of paper, I sighed.

Another detention.

I hate my life.

Sakura was kind enough to wait for me while I sat in my detention. It was only fifteen minutes, but it felt like years to me. I wanted to get out and go play!

And as childish as that sounds, it was the pure, honest truth!

"Uzumaki, face forward."

And this detention was ten times worse.

Why?

Because the goddamn class rep was looking over it.

In other words, the high and mighty assed, Uchiha Sasuke.

The guy was tall and lean, with sleek black hair. Long bangs framed his porcelain face, but stuck up high into the air at the back.

Like a duck's butt.

His skin was so clear and smooth, it made Barbie jealous.

Well, at least, this is how all-and I mean all- the girls describe him. He's a God in their eyes.

But to me, he just looks like a featherless, uncooked chicken what with his lanky and pale figure.

Plus, the guy had it out for me! He was picking on me almost as much as Mizuki-sensei!

I turned to face the board with a scowl, completely unhappy with my current situation. But one glance at the clock brought a smile to my face. Only five minutes left!

"Uzumaki, you stay for an extra five minutes."

See? SEE!

He's got it out for me!

I made a move to glare at the smirking boy, but remembered that he was giving me five minutes for looking elsewhere, so instead I stayed absolutely still.

Ha! Take that Uchiha!

He just walked to the front and sat down on the teachers empty desk while staring at us.

Besides me, there were three others.

Inuzuka Kiba. For some reason his small dog Akamaru was nestled in his shirt. I didn't really think about that. I'm not too sure I wanted to know.

Nara Shikamaru was also there. All I really knew about him was he was really lazy, but was top of the class. He even beat Sasuke!

Heh, cool. I like him now.

Then there was Akimichi Chouji. Even though he'd gotten detention for eating in class, there was still a bag of chips in his hand and he kept taking one out every five seconds.

Sasuke was watching the, rather obese, boy with a hint of amusement. Obviously he understood that if one tried to take away Chouji's food...they're dead.

My eyes started drifting until I spotted Kiba in my peripheral vision. He was looking at his watch, a rather panicked expression on his face.

I chanced a glance at the clock on the wall and felt a rush of anger and panic. It was already 2:20?

I had promised to meet up with my friends online at 2:15! I was late! By the time Sakura and I got back to my apartment, it would be 3:00 or so.

Shit!

Before I could raise my hand and ask to be let go, Sasuke also glanced at the clock. I swore I saw an expression of surprise on his face, but it was gone and replaced with the usual bastard mask, so I couldn't be sure.

"Alright, you can go." He said and left without another word. I practically knocked over my chair in my hurry to get out.

I scrambled down the stairs and burst through the front entrance. Sakura was standing by the gate, a very blank look on her face. She must have zoned out.

"Sakura-chan!" I called and she snapped out of her daze to look at me.

"That was a lot longer than I thought it would be." She noted and followed my lead as I sprinted away. "Why are we running as if there Gai-sensei was trying to give us a hug?" she huffed out.

I laughed at her simile, but didn't slow down. She was a fast runner, she could live.

"Because...I'm...Late!" I panted out. She nodded and sped up until the both of us were practically flying down the street.

We arrived outside my apartment building and stopped to catch our breath. I looked at her watch and grinned.

"2: 45! That's a new record!"

Sakura laughed-well, wheezed actually- and weakly punched my arm. "You're like the damn energizer bunny from hell, you know that?" she said, heading up the stairs. I followed close behind, grinning all the way.

"Of course! I can keep going forever!" I stopped and gave her a sly look. She paused, noticing the change in expression.

"What?"

"And I can also keep going all~ night~ long~!" I sang and gave a wink. She burst out laughing, my own soon following as we continued up the stairs.

I had long ago gotten over my crush on Sakura, and she knew it too. However, I never passed up the chance to crack a joke about it, and Sakura always took it in stride perfectly.

After fumbling with my keys and cursing out an artistic masterpiece, I managed to get my door open and shot inside, wasting no time in turning on my PC and tossing my bag across the room.

"TGIF!" I screeched excitedly. Sakura put her bag down a little more gracefully and went over to the cabinet.

Sakura had two laptops, being from the rather wealthy family she was. She kept one at my house in case of emergency and since she often came to visit. She set it up next to mine and we both waited for them to boot up.

I made some tea while Sakura made sandwiches and when we were done we sat down at our PC's and got ready to game.

Double clicking on the special icon on my desktop, I watched eagerly as the dramatic theme music played on the opening menu.

Logging in with lightening speed, I entered the great world of online role playing.

Just as I was about to move my character, there came a great rumbling noise. Sakura and I stood up, looking around fearfully. As I opened my mouth to ask what was going on, the whole apartment began to shake, and everything began to fall out of place. I was yelling and Sakura was screaming, and then there was a tremendous crack.

The ceiling was caving in!

I shouted out for Sakura to run and pushed her out of the way before...I died.

NOT! How many of you actually bought that last bit? Lol, sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, aside from the randomness that is right above this message, how did you like the first chapter? Did it catch your interest? Should I continue or should I scrap this while I still have a chance?

Reviews are the best thing to let me know! ...so LET ME KNOW!

The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.